Abstract:
The investigated essential oils of rhizomes and leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R. M. Smith, were evaluated using GC-MS analysis. The yield of the essential oil of the leaves was 0.45% V/W, while that of the rhizomes was 0.25% V/W. The major compounds found in the leaves oil were: 1,8-cineole (24.21%) and terpinen-4-ol (19.67%), while the major compounds found in the rhizomes oil were terpinen-4-ol (17.15%) and turmerone (15.62%). GLC investigation of the unsaponifiable fraction indicates the presence npentacosane (26.35%), n-octane (8.89%) and beta-sitosterol (4.01%). GLC investigation of the fatty acids methyl esters indicate the presence of saturated fatty acids: tetradecanoic acid (10.13%) and unsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid (9.87%). The hexane fraction showed no hepatotoxicity till concentration 1000 mu g/ml. The hexane exerted 90% hepatoprotection at a concentration 25 mu g/ml. The aqueous extract achieved 50% cytotoxicity at 50 mu g/ml on the U937 cells (human leukemic monocyte lymphoma); the methanol extract did not show any cytotoxic activity till the concentration of 100 mu g/ml. The aqueous and methanolic extracts had no cytotoxic effect on PBM cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cell), till a concentration of 100 mu g/ml.
